Man confesses to sex offences involving boys at summer camp
A person who laced candy with sleeping medication and distributed them to youngsters at a summer program in Leicestershire has confessed to sexual offenses against two boys who were between nine and ten.
Jon Ruben was detained after eight minors and one adult became sick at Stathern Lodge in July.
The elderly man, from the Nottinghamshire area, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges when he was present at the judicial center on the end of the week.
Yet, he denied one particular crime he was charged with, which was concerning a young boy.
The accused was kept in jail before a additional proceeding on late November.
'Candy game'
Mary Prior KC, presenting evidence, described the defendant's actions to the judicial body.
She stated his victims were children from difficult backgrounds who were staying at a youth camp which he managed.
The man conducted a "sweet game" with the youngsters, the legal counsel explained, in which he would go into the boys' rooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to eat sweets "as fast as possible".
She stated to the judge the defendant had engaged in this activity with the young males "over an extended period", and youngsters had previously fallen ill the next day.
She stated Ruben had been able to explain this over a long period as the minors being "overexcited from fun", until his stepson had concerns in summer 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "In the summer" his stepchild had suspicions about what was going on, with valid cause.
"They chose" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
The legal counsel explained items including lubricant, Vaseline and medical needles were located, and his stepson notified the police about his suspicions.
She stated Ruben went on to play the "treat game" with six youngsters that evening - July 26th - and they were everyone unwell the subsequent day.
"Authorities" had not gone out by that time," she stated further.
The oversight body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, earlier informed that it was investigating the police response of the incident.
The legal representative explained the children were having difficulty walking due to their sickness, so Ruben's stepson contacted the authorities again.
She explained Ruben then engaged in the "sweet game" in a room of five minors.
